Bradford City boss Gary Bowyer has revealed midfielder Matty Palmer could be out of the first-team reckoning until the New Year.
The Bantams boss ruled out the midfielder for at least the next month because of his knee injury but admitted the club are currently in the dark about how much more time he could be on the treatment table.
Bowyer told the Telegraph & Argus: ‘It just depends on the healing process and on the individual, we are certainly talking at least four weeks, but it could even range from six to ten weeks and beyond.’
‘The good thing is that he doesn’t need an operation. It’s a case of settling his knee down and rebuilding the strength around it.’
Palmer was injured in the Bantams 1-1 at Scunthorpe eleven days ago when his studs got caught in the pitch as he attempted a turn. Matty Lund had earlier clattered him in a challenge that saw the Iron midfielder sent off.
The twenty-four-year-old has been in fine form for the Bantams since his season-long loan move from Rotherham United in the summer. He’s made eleven appearances in all competitions so far and was one of the first names on Bowyer’s teamsheet before picking up his injury.
Despite his absence from the side, Bradford still managed to beat promotion rivals Swindon Town at Valley Parade last time out and will be looking to build on that result when they travel to one of the divisions strugglers Morecambe at the weekend.
Our View
Palmer was one of the picks of a busy summer of business for Bowyer, and he will be a big miss for the Bantams.
However, Bowyer does have a large squad at his disposal, perfectly illustrated when he brought on a League Two title winner from last season, Shay McCarten, to snatch the winner against Swindon.
Palmer’s absence will give other players a chance, and we feel it will do little to halt the Bantams promotion push.
